Method for sizing textile fabric



Patented Feb. 4, 1941 PATENT VOFFICE A METHOD FOR SIZING TEXTILE FABRIC Wyly M. Billing, Wilmington, DeL, asslgnor to Hercules Powder Company, Wilmington, Del, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application May 4, 1940, Serial No. 333,343

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a method for sizing textile fabric and to the product thereof, and more particularly relates to a method for sizing textile fabric by means of a thermoplastic filmforming composition resistant to hydrolysisfiby alkaline washing solutions.

The object of this invention is to produce a permanently sized textile fabric suitable for articles of wearing apparel customarily starched, which after pressing with a hot iron, is transformed into a stiffer material having an apparently heavier body and, generally, a starched appearance.

A further object of this invention is to provide a sized textile fabric from which the sizing material is not removedby repeated laundering, which needs only to be pressed with a hot iron to produce a stiff, yet pliable, starch-like finish, and which is porous so as to allow the passage of water and moisture. 4

A further object of this invention is to provide a pliable, yet firmly-set textile fabric in which tears and rips proceed with greater difliculty than in the untreated material, and in which adjacent threads are not strained or loosed when the material is tom.

The product in accordance with this invention comprises a textile fabric which contains a solid, thermoplastic, film-forming material which is substantially inert to the action of aqueous alkaline solutions throughout the individual threads thereof, and bonding adjacent threads together, but not forming a continuous coating on the individual threads or filling the interstices between the individual threads. This product will be found to be permanently sized and of a starched appearance which is retained after many washing and ironing operations, even when the-washing is carried out in strong alkaline solutions.

The method in accordance with this invention comprises impregnating a textile fabric with an aqueous emulsion of a solution of a solid, thermo. plastic, film-forming material substantially inert to the action of aqueous alkaline washing solutions in a volatile substantially water-immiscible solvent, removing the excess emulsion from the cloth, evaporating the water and the volatile solvent from theimpregnated fabric and then pressing the fabric at a temperature at which at least incipient fusion of the thermoplasticcomposition occurs, such as, for example, in the case of an ethyl cellulose composition, a temperature the range of about F. to about 360 F. and preferably a temperature of about 240 F; to about 360 R, and more preferably a temperature of about 320 F. to about 360 F.

In following my method the excess emulsion may be conveniently removed .from the cloth by passing the cloth between paddedrolls. vThe amount of emulsion remaining in the cloth after the excess has been removed, will desirably be such that the; amount of-dry thermoplastic composition remaining in the fabric at the end of my procedure will be sufiicient to impregnate the individual threads of the fabricand to substantially bond the threads together where directly adjacent, but insufficient to fill the interstices between the threads 011150 form a continuous coating over the surface of the textile. The amount of the dry thermoplastic composition remaining in the fabric will ordinarily be within the range of about 5% to about 40% by weight of the untreated cloth.

The aqueous emulsion used in accordance with my invention will comprise an emulsionof a solution of a solid thermoplastic. fi m-forming material substantially inert to the action of alkaline washing solutions. in a suitable volatile solvent therefor which is substantially immiscible with water. Thermoplastic materials which are suitable for use in accordance with this invention are organic esters of cellulose, as, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, etc.; mixed esters of cellulose, as, cellulose nitroaacetate, cellulose aceto-butyrate, cellulose aceto-laurate, etc.; cellulose ethers, as, ethyl cellulose, propyl cellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, butyl cellulose, etc., polyvinyl acetate resins; mixed vinyl acetate-vinyl chloride resins; polyacrylic acid ester resins, as, polyethyl acrylate, polymethyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate; mixtures of vinyl and acrylate resins, mixtures of glycol, glycerol and glycol esters of terpinene maleic anhydride resins, chlorinated rubber, rubber hydrochloride, chlorinated rubber hydrochloride, etc. Nitrocellulose is not suitable for this purpose, since it is not resistant to the action of aqueous alkaline solutions,

and is not a true thermoplastic.

The solution of the thermoplastic material may, if desired, contain a suitable softening or 'plasticizing agent for lowering the softening temperature of the material. when using a material which softens at a temperature of 400 F. or above, a plasticizer will desirably be added. The plasticizer selected for this p rp se will desirably be resistant to hydrolysis in alkaline solutions.

The particular'plasticizer used will also desirably be compatible with the thermoplastic material used. Suitable plasticizers for use with thermoplastic cellulose derivatives are, for example, hydrogenated methyl abietate, hydrogenated ethyl abietate, triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, tributyl' phosphate, methyl phthalyl methyl glycollate, ethyl phthalyl ethyl glycollate, etc.

The aqueous emulsion which I use will contain an emulsifying agent of a non-film. forming type or mixture of such emulsifying agents and will desirably be finely dispersed. Suitable emulsifying agents are, for example, the alkali metal salts of the higher aliphatic half ester sulfates, as

. sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium stearyl sulfate, etc.;

sulfonated oils, as sulfonated castor oil,. sulfonated olive oil, etc.; soaps, as sodium stearate, sodium oleate, etc.; alkali metal salts of alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acids, as sodium butyl naph-' thalene sulfonate, sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulfonate, etc.

The solids deposited in. a textile fabric when impregnated with a thermoplastic film-forming material resistant to alkaline hydrolysis by the method in accordance with this invention, will generally be laid downin-the threads of the fabric as an adherent mass. However, with certain impregnating materials, as for example, ethyl cellulose, an emulsion deposits the material asfluify, poorly adhering-masses. In the use The following examples further illustrate emulsion compositions suitable for the treatment of a textile fabric, such as for example,-organdy, broadcloth, the heavy cotton fabric used for nurses uniforms, etc., in accordance with this invention.

Exusrul A solution of the following composition was prepared:

- 1 Per cent by weight Ethyl cellulose 16.6 Hydrogenated methyl abietate 3.4 Toluol a 56.0 Butanol 16.0 Naphtha (Hi-Flash) 8.0

Five hundred grams of the above solution were emulsified in 300 cc. of water containing 1.5 grams of sodium lauryl sulfate and3'grams of sulfonated castor oil, to form an oil-in-water type emulsion by admixing the two .solutions and An aqueous solution of an.

the mixture through a colloid mill. The emulsion was uniform and of fine particle size.

Exmru: II

A solution of the followingcomposition was prepared: 1

I Per cent by weight Cellulose acetobutyrate 12 Methyl phthalyl ethyl glycollate 6 Triphenyl phosphate 6 Ethylene dichloride 46 Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether aceta (Cellosolve acetate) B-B dichlorethyl' ether 10 One hundred parts of the above formula were emulsified in 40 parts of water containing sodium lauryl sulfate and 1% sulfonated castor oil by admixture and then passage through a colloid mill.

Exulru 111 Film phase Parts by weight Chlorinated rubber (Tornesit-30 cp. grade) 100 I-Lvdrogenated methyl abietate l5 Oleic acid a 4.9 Tnlunl 16 Xylol- 110 Water phase Distilledwater 98.5 mom a v on 'These two phases are run together through the colloid mill for emulsification.

Exmrns TV Film phase Parts by weight Poly vinyl acetate resin (Gelva 25 Toluol 55 Butyl acetate --.4 20

Water phase Distilled water 39.4 Sodium lauryl sulfate 0.2 sulfonated castor il -'--L- 0.4

The two phases may be shakenv together for dispersion, or emulsified in a colloid mill.

The-following examples further illustrate the method in accordance with this invention.

A sample of heavy, unsized cotton broadcloth was immersed in a 1% aqueous solution of aluminum chloride, passed between squeeze rolls and then immersed in an emulsion of the composition shown in Example 1, containing ethyl cellulose. The broadcloth saturated with the ethyl cellulose emulsion was then passed between padded squeeze rolls to remove the excess, and then through a drying tunnel at approximately 100'F. At this stage of the treatment the cloth was no stiffer than the untreated broadcloth, and

microscopic examination showed that the individual threads of the cloth were impregnated with minute pellets of ethyl cellulose plastic. The treated broadcloth was pressed with a hot iron at a temperature of about 340 F. After ironing, the weight of the broadcloth was found to have been increased about 30%. It was found to have a starched appearance, and to be much stiffer than the untreated cloth, yet still pliable. It was found to be more difllcult to tear than aasogea the original cloth, and when torn gavesa clean tearfwith unravelededgesfl'l'he interstices between the'threads of the treated cloth werenot closed; so that the treatd cloth was not impervious to the passageof water and moisture, and can be used for the} same purposes as the untreated broadcloth which has been 'starched. I'hebroadcloth so treated has a decided advantage over broadcloth which has beenstarched,

peated laundering. a

A sample 'of organdy was immersed in an emulsion of the composition shown in Example 11, containing celluloseacetobutyrate. The orin that the sizing is not removed even after re gandy saturated with emulsionwas then passed between padded squeeze rolls and through a drying tunnel: The cloth so treated was then pressed with a hot'iron at a temperature of about 340 C, "The organdy so treated was i found to have been increased in weight by about 25%, and

' tohavea starched appearance.

It will be understood that the details and examples hereinbefore set forth are illustrative only, and that the invention as herein broadly described and claimed is in no way limited thereby. This application is a continuation-in-part of my application for United States patent, Serial No. 158,261, filed August 9, 1937, which is in turn a division of my application, Serial No. 99,957, filed September 9, 1936, and now U. S. Patent No. 2,176,053.

What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A method for the production of a sized textile fabric characterized by stiffness and a starchlike finish in the absence of starch, and perviousmess to both moisture and air, which includes impregnating a fabric with an aqueous emulsion comprising a substantially water-immiscible solution of ethyl cellulose in a volatile solvent so as to impregnate the individual threads of the fabric and to substantially bond the threads together where directly adjacent but insuflicient to fill the interstices between the threads or to form a continuous coating over the surface of the fabric, the amount of emulsion remaining in the fabric being such as to leave, on dryin non-volatile material in the fabric in amount within the range of about 5% to about 40% by weight of the fabric, evaporating the water and volatile solvent from the emulsion contained in the said fabric and then pressing the fabric at a temperature at which at least incipient fusion of the ethyl cellulose composition occurs.

2=. A method for the production of a sized textile fabric characterized by stiffness and a starchlike finish in the absence of starch, and perviousness to both moisture and air, which includes impregnating a fabric with an aqueous emulsion comprising a substantially water-immiscible solution of ethyl cellulose in a volatile solvent so as to impregnate the individual threads of the fabric and to substantially bond the threads together where directly adjacent but insufficient to fill the interstices between the threads or to form a continuous coating over the surface of the fabric, the amount of emulsion remaining in the fabric being such as to leave, on drying, non-volatile material in the fabric in amount within the range of about 5% to about 40% by weight of the fabric, evaporating the water and volatile solvent from the emulsion contained in the said fabric and then pressing the fabric at a temperature within the range of about 180 F. to about 360 F.

3. A method for the production of a sized textile fabriccharacterized by stiffness and. a starchlike the absence of starch, and perviousness to both moisture and air which includes impregnating a fabric with an aqueous emulsion comprising a substantially water-immiscible solution offethyl cellulose inf a volatile solvent so as to impregnate thelndividual threads of the fabric and tosubstautially bond the threads together where directly adjacent but insufllcient to fllllthe interstices between the threads orto form a continuous coating over the surface of thefabrlc, the amount of emulsion remaining in the fabric being such asto leave, on drying, nonvolatile material in the fabric in amount within the range of about 5% to about 40% by weight of the fabric, evaporating the water and volatile solvent from the emulsioncontained in the said fabric and then pressing the fabric at a'temperaglaze within the range of about 240 F. to about F; v

4 A method for. the production of a sized textile fabric characterized by stiffness and a starchlike finish in the absence of starch, and perviousness to both moisture and air, which includes impregnating a. fabric with an aqueous emulsion comprising a substantially water-immiscible. solution of ethyl cellulose in a volatile solvent so as to impregnate the individualthreads of the fabric and to substantiallybond the threads together where directly adjacent but insufficient to fill the interstices between the threads or to form a continuous coating over the surface of the fabric, removing the excess emulsion from the fabric so that the emulsion remaining therein-will, on drying, leave non-volatile material in the fabric in amount within the range of about to about 40% by weight of the fabric, evaporating the water and volatile solvent from the emulsion conemulsion comprising a substantially water-immiscible solution of ethyl cellulose and a plasticizer therefor in a volatile solvent so as to impregnate the individual threads of the fabric and to substantially bond the threads together where directly adjacent but insufficient to fill the interstices between the threads or to form a continuous coating over the surface of the fabric, the amount of emulsion remaining in the fabric being such as to leave, on drying, non-volatile material in the fabric in amount within the range of about 5% to about 40% by weight of the fabric, evaporating the water and volatile solvent from the emulsion contained in the said fabric and then pressing the fabric at a temperature at which at least incipient fusion of the ethyl cellulose composition occurs.

6. A method for the production of a sized textile fabric characterized by stiffness and a starch-like finish in the absence of starch, and perviousness to both moisture and air, which includes impregnating a fabric with, an aqueous emulsion comprising a substantially water-immiscible solution of ethyl cellulose in a volatile solvent so as to impregnate the individual threads of the fabric and to substantially bond the threads together where directly adjacent but insufficient to fill the interstices between the threads or to form a continuous over the surface of the fabric, removing the excess, emulsion from the fabric so that the emulsion remaining therein will, on drying, leaves non-volatile material in the fabric in amount within the range of about 5% to about 40% by weight of the fabric, evaporating the water and volatile solvent from the emulsion contained in the said fabricand then pressing thev fabric at a temperature within the range of about 240 1". to about 360 F.

'7. A method for the production of a sized textile fabric characterized by stifiness and a starch-like finish in the absence of starch, and pervicusness to both moisture and air, which includes impregnating a fabric with an aqueous emulsion comprising a substantially water-immiscible solution of ethyl cellulose and a pissticizer therefor in a volatile solvent so as to impregnate the individual threads of the fabric and to substantially bond the threads together where directly adjacent but insufilcien-t to fill the interstices between the threads or to form a .continuous coating over the surface of the fabric, removing the excess emulsion from the fabric so that the emulsion remaining therein will, on

drying, leave-non-volatile material in the fabric in amount within the range ofabout 5% to the water and volatile solvent from the emulsion contained in the said fabric and then pressing the fabric at a temperature within the range of about 240- r. to about 350 1".

8. A method for the production of'a sized textile fabric characterised by stiffness and a starch like finish in the absence of starch. and perviousness to both moisture and air. which ineludes imii f fl ting a fabric with an aqueous emulsion comprising a substantially water-immiscible solution of ethyl cellulose in a volatile solvent so as to impregnate the individual threads of the fabric and to substantially bond the threads together where directly adjacent but insufilcient to fill the interstices between the threads or to form a continuous coating over the surface of the fabric, removing the excess emulsion from the fabric so that the emulsion remaining therein will. on drying. leave non-volatile material in the fabric in amount within the range of about 5% to about 40%by weight of the fabric. evaporating the water and volatile solvent from the emulsion contained in the said fabric and then pressing the fabric at a temperature within the range of about 820 F. to about 360 1".

WYLY M. BILLING. 

